CATCHING Synonyms: 407 Similar and Opposite Words

catching 1 of 2

adjective

ˈka-chiŋ

Definition of catching

as in infectious

capable of being passed by physical contact from one person to another a cold is often catching before the symptoms even begin

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in spreading

exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others a catching smile that instantly puts patients at ease

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catching

2 of 2

verb

present participle of catch

as in grabbing

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly we tried to catch the kitten before she could sneak out the door

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as in getting

to become affected with (a disease or disorder) you'll catch the flu for sure if you don't get a shot

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as in stopping

to bring (something) to a standstill I caught myself just as I was about to step into the freshly poured concrete

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as in securing

to put securely in place or in a desired position caught back her hair with a barrette

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as in knowing

to have a clear idea of I didn't catch the point you were making about our nation's foreign policy

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as in tricking

to cause to believe what is untrue a number of media outlets were caught by the woman's hard-luck story

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as in encountering

to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face I'll catch you at the library tomorrow

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as in noticing

to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes I looked out the window just in time to catch the neighbor's dog digging up my flower bed

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as in chasing

to move fast enough to get even with despite the suspect's considerable lead, the fleet-footed police officer was able to catch him and make an arrest

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

falling short

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of catching

Adjective

The Braves gained four years and millions of dollars by substituting Olson for Freeman at first base – even though one of those traded was slugging catching prospect Shea Langeliers. — Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2026 The designs are eye catching and beautiful, inspired by South Florida's beaches and ocean water. — Najahe Sherman, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026

Verb

Then, Goff can throw to one of the best tight ends in the game, Sam LaPorta (31 receptions, 367 yards, three touchdowns) or Gibbs as one of the best pass-catching backs (34-285-2). — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026 Peltola is a gun-owning, fish-catching Alaska-bush native, who has worked for mines and supports oil drilling, and is allied with the state’s largest labor unions. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for catching

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catching

Adjective

Symptoms can appear between two and 21 days after exposure, and people are generally not infectious before symptoms begin.

— Olayinka Stephen Ilesanmi, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2026
Viral particles can spread through the air and remain infectious for up to two hours, even after an infected person leaves the area.

— Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of infectious

Verb

Ben and Victor are suspicious of Kriste for immediately grabbing her chalice.

— Alice Burton, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026
After a bloody skirmish with the orcs and wild men, an imposing figure arrives on horseback, grabbing one of the warriors and hurling him at Galadriel’s approaching horse.

— Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of grabbing

Verb

The administration says longstanding federal policy of getting people into permanent housing first, then offering voluntary treatment, has failed, and is to blame for the pandemic spike in homelessness.

— Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 8 Nov. 2026
People may have been getting high off cannabis earlier than previously thought -- at least 2,800 years ago, a new study suggests.

— Mary Evans, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of getting

Verb

Cornerbacks Jacob Parrish and Zyon McCollum had Tampa Bay's other picks, with the last turnover stopping a second-half drive in Bucs territory when Atlanta still had an opportunity to get back into the game.

— CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
At the rear, stopping duties are handled by a 230-mm disc and a two-piston caliper, also using 27-mm pistons.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of stopping

Verb

Reliability includes knowing when an arrangement needs to change.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026
Our community is dying; there’s an underlying sense of desperation, grief and pride that can both protect and suffocate out of a need to survive – this film is ultimately a love letter to us, with a sense of knowing.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of knowing

Verb

In 2020, a group of political operatives working closely with Florida Power and Light sought to derail Rodríguez’s re-election campaign for the Senate by tricking voters into voting for an independent candidate with the same last name.

— Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
The top-performing red teamer on the original Arena was a lawyer from Melbourne who just happened to be good at tricking models into jumping their guardrails.

— Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of tricking

Verb

Bass also attracted criticism over her handling of city spending — giving a series of raises to the workforce and then encountering a $1-billion shortfall, which led to the elimination of more than 1,500 vacant city jobs.

— David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
While readers of his three earlier Grouse County novels will certainly feel the pleasure of encountering old friends, West of Loveland can be read satisfyingly on its own.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2026